202 North Liberty Street and 188 North Liberty Street
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Last updated on March 25, 2024
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Directions from William Strother House to Site 3:
- Continue down W Wolfe St
- At the intersection of W Wolfe St and N Liberty St, site 3 is on the right in the southeast corner
The Gibson family lived on the corner of North Liberty Street and West Wolfe Street in 1850. This is where Matchbox is located today. Jeremiah Gibson was born around 1791 in Staunton, Virginia. Little is unknown about his early life. In 1827, he moved to Harrisonburg and purchased land on the northeast and southeast corners of North Liberty Street and West Wolfe Street. Gibson was a wagon maker, and his workshop was once where Liberty Park is today. In May 1841, unknown circumstances led Jeremiah to fall into debt and risk losing his shop and livelihood. He worked with a local attorney, A.C. Bryan, to create a deal in which Jeremiah essentially pawned all his property with the agreement that he could earn it all back from Bryan within a year. This was a tactic many residents in Harrisonburg took advantage of, including free Black individuals in the community, to avoid losing their property when faced with financial hardship. Jeremiah Gibson was able to earn back his property, and through the finalized receipts, other items owned by the family came to light, such as furniture, household goods, and a cow. Margaret Gibson, his wife, became the property owner after his death. Then it passed down to their sons, then to Gibson's grandchildren. The Gibson lot was sold in 1899.
The Gibson family's story is one of resilience and determination. They built a life together, overcoming numerous social and legal barriers to become small business owners. When Jeremiah faced a personal debt crisis, he likely worked tirelessly to buy back his workshop, a testament to his dedication. Margaret, a widowed, free Black woman, faced significant challenges as she fought against racism and a patriarchal society to maintain the family's properties after her husband's sudden death. Their story is a compelling example of the challenges and triumphs of the Antebellum Black community in Harrisonburg.
The Gibson family's story is one of resilience and determination. They built a life together, overcoming numerous social and legal barriers to become small business owners. When Jeremiah faced a personal debt crisis, he likely worked tirelessly to buy back his workshop, a testament to his dedication. Margaret, a widowed, free Black woman, faced significant challenges as she fought against racism and a patriarchal society to maintain the family's properties after her husband's sudden death. Their story is a compelling example of the challenges and triumphs of the Antebellum Black community in Harrisonburg.
